careful not to needlessly expose yourself to
taking cold. One subject to rheumatism or neuritis, even in small degree,
should take care not only not to take cold but not to overdo in laboring;
cold, wet and over-exertion cause the majority of the acute attacks. But
some are caused by diseases, such as diphtheria, typhoid fever, etc., and
a great many cases of neuritis following these and other infectious
diseases can be avoided if proper care is taken during and after these
diseases. Such care can easily be taken. Keep your rooms warm and
comfortable, and the patient in bed or in a comfortable room until all
danger is past. How often I have heard a doctor blamed for such results
when in most cases it is the patient's or nurse's fault. Certain results
will follow certain diseases and only proper care can keep such results
from following. Dropsy frequently follows even a light case of scarlet
fever. Why? Simply because, on account of being a light case, the child is
left to roam at will about the rooms and catches cold, takes la grippe. If
people would only take care of themselves this disease would not leave so
many lifelong victims. I have seen men and women who have just recovered
from this disease stand on the street corners on a cold, damp day, and
talk an hour, and the next day they wondered how they could possibly have
taken cold. We cannot disobey the laws of nature safely. Persons who are
subject to neuritis or rheumatism should be especially careful on cold,
damp, wet days and of over-exertion.

[280 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

GENERAL AND FUNCTIONAL BRAIN DISEASES. NERVOUS
PROSTRATION. NERVOUS EXHAUSTION.
NEURASTHENIA.

NERVOUS PROSTRATION.--Is a condition of weakness or exhaustion of the
nervous system, giving rise to various forms of mental and bodily
inefficiency.

Causes. 1. Hereditary causes.--Some children are born of parents who are
weak themselves, and who have led fast lives through business or pleasure
and these parents have given their offspring a weakened body, and the
children are handicapped with a nervous predisposition and furnish a
considerable proportion of "nervous" patients.

2. Acquired.--It is acquired by continual worry and overwork, sexual
indiscretion, excesses, irregular living and indiscretion in diet. A great
many business men, teachers and journalists become "neurasthenics." It may
follow infectious diseases, particularly influenza, typhoid fever and
syphilis. It also follows opera